Oh ok - that's the point, really. A red herring is a false trail, seems real, smells real but isn't the real thing - ergo 'red'. It's an old English saying, maybe it didn't make it across the pond. I know a lot of good phrases fell out of the boat, along with an entire crate of 'U's.

It prompts me to interject a thought I had when I read your reply about another thread that was about the dictionary meaning of God. Assuming it has not been coined already I'll put out that God could mean :- The temporary explanation for something that has not yet been supported by facts.

"Oh are you the person I just called to rake my leaves? I understand how hard this economy is, many people are moon lighting after losing their professional job. You can find the rake next to the fence in front, if you don't have one. I think $10/hr is the going rate? We will talk when you are done, and settle up. Thankyou for coming!"

If they are still there after an hour, pay them $10 and send them on their way. Of course you would really need to have a mean soul to do this.

My last JW encounter included a rather unintended wild rush to our front door with our two puppies, all 112lbs of them, scaring the bejesuses out of the poor woman. I told her that it would be unsafe for her if I opened our screen door to receive the copy of the Watch Tower. If the puppies had gotten out they might have nearly striped her of cloths, and chased her down our drive screaming.

The 'striping of cloths' nearly happens to me every time I get home. More than once have I walked in with my pants hanging around my ankles, after this puppy frisking. LOL LOL LOL

James you reminded me of a fabulous moment in a pub in the King's Road, Chelsea, about thirty years ago. A vicar walked in clutching a handful of PLAIN TRUTH magazines and a collecting tin. Everyone avoided eye contact and kind of found other things to focus on.

Then suddenly, without warning, he cried, "I've had enough of this! It's you I really want" and proceeded to rip his clothes off in front of a startled girl - yes, he was a stripogram - one of the stranger 1980's customs purchased for a birthday bash. Needless to say, the whole pub collapsed laughing.